Archive for January, 2015

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This is my own version of a weekly book haul and all things new on fuonlyknew.

Another fun way to share your book news and enjoy others is The Sunday Post hosted by

Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Head on over and leave a link to your Sunday Post and hop around to visits others.

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Hard to believe another week has flown by. I happened to notice the days are getting longer! That means spring will be here soon. Not soon enough for me! LOL

I’ve been reading a lot and working a lot and nothing much new has happened since last week. Except I got a lot of new books!

As I type this, I’m watching my dog and cat play on the area rug. What a pair.

I inherited my cat, Sheba, from my sister when she passed away earlier this year.

Quigley, my dog, I inherited many years ago when someone dumped him in my yard.

They are both black as night and getting up there in age.

Sometimes I think Quigley is the boss and sometimes I think Sheba is. I guess they work that out between themselves.

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You can’t see it in the photo, but Sheba isn’t de-clawed so Quigley is looking a little wary right now. They are so funny.

Sheba isn’t allowed outside but every now and then she slips out and Quigley will rush over and herd her back inside. And whenever Quigley goes to the back door. which is glass, and sits down to look outside, Sheba sits right next them. The only thing that moves is her tail. LOL

When I first got Quigley, I also had another dog I’d taken in, a golden retriever/greyhound mix we called Lassie. We called them the ghost and the darkness as she was almost white and he was pitch black. At night you couldn’t even see Quigley in the backyard, but Lassie glowed. I had to put her to sleep when she got an incurable fungus that water dogs get. Quigley was lost without her, but eventually he started eating and playing again. When my sister moved in from California, she brought two black cats, Sheba and Shasta. We had to put Shasta down because of old age. Now that Sheba has lost my sister, I think they are good for each other.

How about you? Got any best friends like these? Are you a cat person or a dog person or both?

I’ll be hopping over to check out your Sunday posts so be sure to leave me your link!

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Here are my new books for review.

You can click on the covers to check them out on Goodreads.

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New ones just for me!

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And here are some freebies for ya!

Click on the covers to get yours and remember to make sure they’re still free before you click that buy button.

 

 

 

 

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Books I reviewed this week.

Click on the covers for my reviews.

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Books I’ll be reviewing next week.

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What I won.

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I won all three print copies plus some beautiful post cards and a sweet t-shirt from a giveaway on YA Romantic.

Thanks so much Jen and thank you to Author Morgan Rhodes.

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I won this print ARC from a giveaway on Buried Under Books.

Thanks so much Leila and thanks to Author E. Michael Helms.

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I won a print copy from the Crashers Giveaway.

Thanks so much to Author Lindy S. Hudis.

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I won this print copy from a giveaway on The Dreamweaver’s Cottage.

Thank you Jenny and thanks to the wonderful authors!

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I won this ebook from the giveaway hosted by Chapter by Chapter.

Now I have both books in this series!

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I won this fun coloring book from the gals at I Smell Sheep.

Thanks ya’ll and thanks to Author Roger Ma.

I’ll add this to my zombie apocalypse kit, along with some crayons. LOL

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Other Posts this week.

Gargoyles and Alchemy ~ The Accidental Alchemist ~ Review and Giveaway

Son of Set by Kelsey Ketch ~ Book Highlight and Giveaway

Teaser Tuesdays #95 ~ Growl

Aoleon The Martian Girl ~ An out of this world adventure and review

Passing Through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby ~ Book Blast and Giveaway

Growl by Ashley Fontainne ~ Release Day Review and Giveaway

Join the adventure ~ Missing In Paradise ~ Review and Giveaway

Books You Might Have Missed Giveaway Blitz

Mel Goes To Hell by Demelza Carlton ~ Book Series Tour

The Friday 56 #48 ~ My Favorite Corpse ~ A Skullduggery Inn Cozy Mystery

Parched ~ Grand Finale Blitz and Giveaway

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Have you joined TSU yet?

Click on the widget to friend and follow me!

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For all of my 2014 reviews go HERE

For a list of free books go HERE

For all of my giveaways go HERE

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So, what did you get to read this week?

Got any recommendations?

I’d love to know and thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.

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A themed tour with Prism Book Tours.

 

We’re blitzing the GRAND FINALE for

PARCHED

By Georgia Clark

Robots, renewable resources, and romance get tangled together in this thrilling

futuristic adventure novel about a utopian city struggling to keep its peace.

 

Did you miss any of this tour? Go back and check out what you missed…

 

Launch – More About the Author and Parched

What do you hope readers take with them when they read your book?

Parched is about a girl who joins a rebel underground group to fight for what she believes in. I hope this book inspires readers to do the same.

 

Hope To Read – Tech Speak: The New Technologies of Parched

One of the most fun parts of writing a sci-fi is getting to invent cool new technologies. Here’s a few of my favorites from my new novel Parched, and where their inspiration came from.

 

Book N Blog – Review

“Parched by Georgia Clark was an enjoyable and interesting read that gets you thinking about big brother, world domination and what will happen when AI becomes a reality.”

 

Kelly P’s Blog – Interview

Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

Ooh, hard question. I love them all!

 

Coffee Books & Art – Interview

Did you do any kind of research to determine the details of your characters lives / lifestyles?

I did a ridiculous amount of research! I interviewed experts I tracked down online, subscribed science-y magazines, read articles, listened to podcasts. A lot of podcasts, specifically, Robots and Singularity 1 on 1.

 

Book-Marks the Spot – Review

“This book was intense. There was always something happening and I felt that if I blinked I was going to miss something. . . . Parched was dynamic, mind boggling, and just outright good. It is definitely worth the read.”

 

The Written Adventure – Interview

Where did you get the idea for Tess?

Tess is a combination of me, some of my friends, and other YA heroines. I love creating spunky female characters who are brave, but flawed, who are active, emotional but not just boy-crazy. Tess is not a girly-girl, and neither am I.

 

Mel’s Shelves – Review

“There were some twists, turns and surprising revelations and Tess needed to figure out who she could trust. Once I got involved, I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. If you enjoy dystopian Sci-Fi, this is a book you will want to check out!”

 

I Am A Reader – Introduction to the world of Parched

Welcome to the world of Parched: a rollercoaster ride of robots, rebels and romance, of secrets, impossible choices, and a fight for freedom, all in a domed city and a sprawling desert…

 

Katy’s Krazy Books – Review

“Upon starting to read it, I found that I just kept wanting to read and read and read. Nothing could distract me from wanting to find out what was going to happen to Tess next.”

 

Welcome to Book City – Review

“I’m quite impressed by this book. . . . I was suddenly spending my last hours awake reading it.”

 

Colorimetry – Three lady memoirs I’m loving

How To Be A Woman, by Caitlin Moran

Warning: Do not start listening to this book unless you’re prepared to have your internal monologue hi-jacked by a Brit. It’s driving me literally balmy! It’s a testament to Caitlin’s distinctive voice as a writer that I’m able to channel her so successfully.

 

My Life Loves and Passion – Review

“Even though I am not a huge fan of robots, I felt like this was such a good story. Plus how many sci fi/YA/romance stories are out there that are this awesome!”

 

100 Pages A Day – Recommended YA Reads

Having to select your favorite books is like having to select your favourite cake: impossible! They’re all so good! But I bit the bullet and tried to whittle them down. Best enjoyed over a slice of salted caramel something…

 

Typical Distractions – Review

“Parched is exactly what I expected and nothing like I expected. You will enter a world of robots, choices, and the chance to do what is right no matter the cost. It is true to the YA Dysotopian genre but with a spin all it’s own.”

 

Literally Jen – Review

“After I finished reading Parched, all I could think was “wow.” There is so much to take in here, between the richly thought-out world, the customs of each society, and the intricate relationships between all of the characters.”

 

Lilac Reviews – Meet Tessendra “Tess” Rockwood with Dream Cast

Following her mother’s murder, Tess fled her safe and easy life in the domed city of Eden to spend an aimless year in the rough ‘n’ ready Badlands. Here she changed her name, taught herself the local dialect Malspeak, and learned to hunt, protect herself and survive on her own.

 

Wishful Endings – Meet Hunter Adams with Dream Cast

Tess is first introduced to Hunter when she returns to her home of Eden—a lush, technically advanced and socially conscious city that thrives under a clear dome—after spending a year in the rough ‘n’ ready Badlands. He’s her uncle’s teaching assistant, socially awkward if thoughtful: ‘his curious, darting eyes seem to exude intelligence’.

 

Deal Sharing Aunt – Review

“I just finished reading Parched and I liked it very much. Anyone who loves to read about a future world with robots and some romance mixed in will like this book. I thought the storyline was good and I liked the action.”

 

Beck Valley Books – Interview

Can you tell me more about the book beyond what it listed on the back cover and what inspired you to write it?

I grew up watching great sci-fi movies like Bladerunner and Star Wars and have always been attracted to the genre: equal parts exciting/fun and thoughtful/insightful. I loved The Hunger Games and felt inspired to write something of that ilk: a young girl in a brave new world, fighting for what she believes in.

 

ParchedParched
by Georgia Clark
YA Romantic Sci-Fi
Hardcover, 312 Pages
March 14th 2014 by Holiday House

 

Sixteen-year-old Tess lived in Eden, a seemingly idyllic, domed city where access to information and water is regulated by the governing Trust. After a rogue robot killed her scientist mother, Tess fled with a terrible secret to the desperate, arid Badlands, where she’s recruited by Kudzu, explained to her as a “nonviolent collective working to undermine the Trust and free the Badlands.” Learning Kudzu plans to destroy Aevum, the Trust’s latest advanced robot, Tess reluctantly returns to Eden, where she finds the luxurious life morally unconscionable and secretly trains with Kudzu. Living with her uncle, who’s involved with Aevum, Tess is strangely attracted to his sympathetic assistant, Hunter. During a Kudzu raid on the Trust’s lab, Tess discovers that Aevum will be used to eradicate all inhabitants of the Badlands—and that Hunter’s not what he seems to be.

 

Tess’ first-person, present-tense voice lends chilling immediacy to her no-nonsense story of mixed loyalty, disturbing secrets, and ethical dilemmas associated with diminishing natural resources and scientific experimentation.

 

AmazonBarnes and NobleIndie Bound

Georgia Clark is an Australian writer and performer based in Brooklyn. She is the author of the young adult novels SHE’S WITH THE BAND (Allen & Unwin) and sci-fi/romance PARCHED (Holiday House). Widely published online and in print. Won some awards/grants/residencies. Has a play on at the NY Fringe festival. Pretty keen on cheese plates.

 

WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitter

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Tour-Wide Giveaway

$20 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Signed copy of Parched (US only)
Ends January 25th

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Prism Book Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

My 56 for this week is from

My Favorite Corpse

A Skullduggery Inn Cozy Read #1

by Kathy Carmichael

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My 56

Immediately Michele called from the storage room, “Kittens. There are more kittens in here.”

“More kittens?” Kiki cried. Total pandemonium broke out. Kiki darted into the storage  room while Michele ran out of it, and I pushed my tray of crabs at her. “Take this.”

“Where are you going?”

“To find Mama cat,” I said, running out the door in pursuit of her.

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Synopsis

Novella. My Favorite Corpse centers around Ashley Sands, the owner of a mystery-themed inn located on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. An amateur sleuth, Ashley finds a corpse washed to shore at her inn’s private beach. She must learn what happened before her guests begin checking out. While Ashley’s mystery weekend guests usually enjoy the occasional dead body, they prefer the never-previously-animated kind.

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When I spotted this story took place on Mobile Bay I had to read it. I live on Mobile Bay and was excited to see if I recognized anything.

FREEBIE ALERT!

This is a free download on Amzaon right now. You can get a copy HERE.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Leave your link and I’ll drop by your 56.

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Have you joined TSU yet?

Click on the widget to friend and follow me!

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Welcome To Hell banner 1  - Dark Scream Book Tours - Copy (3)

Welcome to my stop on The Mel Series Book Tour!

I have some gorgeous covers to share today.

You can read a bit about the books and enjoy the special glimpse inside Mel Goes To Hell.

Welcome To Hell

Welcome To Hell  one- Dark Scream Book Tours

 

“Good morning. Welcome to HELL.”

Mel hates job interviews – and this one’s shaping up to be the interview from Hell.

From the grumpy receptionist to the disturbingly demonic interview panel and the sleazy CEO, it seems landing her first job is the least of Mel’s worries.

Can she make it out of the office alive without selling her soul?

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Links

Amazon  ~Apple  ~ B&N  ~ Google PlayKoboSmashwords ~ Goodreads

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See You In Hell

welcome to hell 2  See You In Hell - Dark Scream Book Tours

 

A devilishly hot CEO. The angelic new office temp. A match made in Heaven or Hell?

Melody Angel takes a job as a temp at the HELL Corporation. Surrounded by eternal bureaucracy gone mad, demons who love making life miserable, and dying for a decent coffee, it may take a miracle for Mel’s mission to succeed. She must find out what evil plans Lucifer and his minions have in store and stop them, using any means necessary.

Adding trouble and temptation to Mel’s job is Luce Iblis, the damnably hot CEO, who has set his smouldering eyes on the new office angel and he’s determined to claim her, body and soul.

Can ultimate evil and angelic perfection escape a limbo of desire and find a paradise of their own?

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Links

Amazon  ~ Apple  ~ B&N  ~ Google Play~   Kobo ~   Smashwords ~Goodreads

 

Mel Goes To Hell

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The ultimate forbidden love – when Lucifer falls for an angel.

Luce and Mel unearth an age-old conspiracy behind his fall from Heaven which could doom their love for eternity. Yet in the deepest levels of Hell lies a secret that could hold their salvation.

Eternal damnation awaits any angel who descends into the Pit of Despair, but Mel will move Heaven and Earth to save Lucifer’s soul. Armed with little more than the fury of a righteous angel, Mel will raise Hell in the name of love.

From the heights of Heaven to the depths of Hell, can love truly conquer all?

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Links

Amazon  ~ Apple  ~ B&N  ~ Google Play~   Kobo ~   Smashwords ~Goodreads

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Enjoy this glimpse inside Mel Goes To Hell

 

She wore white – an angel in the kitchen, contrasting with the honey-coloured timber cabinets. Her hair was pinned up as it usually was in the office, baring her neck so that it fairly begged him for a kiss. He couldn’t refuse her, so he moved as quietly as he could until she was close enough to touch. Maybe he hadn’t used up all his oyster influence last night…

“What is it about white that makes you look so angelic?” he murmured as he kissed her neck.

Mel jumped and gave a yelp. Liquid splattered on the bench.

Luce lifted his head and realised she’d been handling hot tea. She moved quickly to the sink, running her red hands under the cold tap.

“I’m sorry, Mel. I didn’t realise…” he began, wishing he’d thought to announce himself more safely. She was hurting because of him and he couldn’t stand it. He’d give anything to be able to heal her as she had him.

“It’s all right,” she said breathlessly. She nodded at the half-full cups. “You drink yours. I’ll get to mine in a minute, if I get time.”

“What’s the hurry?” Luce asked, slurping the steaming liquid. He hadn’t had a cup of tea in centuries until arriving at Mel’s place and now it seemed perfectly natural to drink several a day. He wondered if there was anything she couldn’t persuade him to do.

“Raphael called. He said he can get permission for you to enter Heaven again, but you’ll have to go through judgement, like any mortal. I said it was ridiculous and I fully intend to argue your case in person. Raphael evidently didn’t make it clear…” For the first time, Mel looked annoyed. No, like an angel filled with righteous anger, or at least indignation. He pitied whoever she’d be arguing with; they hadn’t a hope in Hell against her.

“Are you sure it’s worth the trouble?” he asked. “I mean, it’s been so long, I barely remember what it’s like up there. It’s not like I need to go in – the place is full of righteous angels, being sickeningly kind to each other with no idea of the reality down here. You know I have no patience for them, with their snowy-white reputations and ideals. I don’t belong there.”

“I’m one of them and so are you. You have every right to be there, just like they do. I have the same ideals, Luce, and you seem to like me just fine,” Mel said through gritted teeth as she shut off the tap, shaking her fingers dry in the sink.

Now he felt bad. She seemed so different to all the other angels he knew. None of them knew the conditions down here as well as she did. Delusional, living in their cloudy paradise…they’d never believe her, unless they saw him bleed for themselves. He’d spill his lifeblood for Mel, but not a drop for any of them, he swore. And they’d turn on her like they’d turned on him all those centuries ago. For doing what was necessary – stating the truth.

“I’m coming with you,” he announced.

She shook her head. “No, Luce. They’d…react differently to you. I’ll go on my own and smooth the way for you. It’s better this way.”

He snorted. “You expect me to sit here, like some damsel in distress, while you fight my battles for me? Why don’t I just wear one of your dresses and you can call me Lucia, too? Even then you’d have to chain me up here to keep me from coming with you. Oh Hell, that brings back memories…” He couldn’t help laughing.

“What memories? Do you have a torture room with chains somewhere that you haven’t showed me yet?” Mel asked. “Or did you just forget about it until now?”

Luce did his best to regain control of himself. “No, not any more. I did have a fun couple of decades as Madam Lucia, though, and we had a couple in the Lair. The things those girls could do…”

Mel’s face turned blank, almost deliberately, Luce decided. “You worked as a brothel madam? Why doesn’t that surprise me? I bet you could’ve filled up Hell with the people in your whorehouse…”

Luce sobered. “The customers, yes, but most of the girls were absolute saints. The things they put up with from the clients, the pay, the conditions…actually, I never saw their souls again, once they left my employ. Of course, there were a few…the ones who thought it was a fun idea to rob the customers and leave them in an alley somewhere, sometimes still breathing…well, Hell always needs a few more demons.”

“You…I’m sorry, Luce, I’m just trying to imagine you in a dress, let alone running a brothel…” Mel shook her head, as if trying to shake the image out of her ears.

Luce tried to smother his grin. “You know, I could show you,” he offered eagerly. “There was a lot of leather involved, but I believe some of my favourite designs are still in vogue in modern adult shops. I think they’d suit you better than they ever did me, though.”

“Luce.” Mel’s piercing gaze brought him out of his fantasy. “We weren’t discussing your fetish for leather. We were discussing how you should stay here while I’m in Heaven, at least for the moment.”

He met her eyes without flinching. “The only way you’ll get me to stay here while you’re fighting on my behalf is with a strong set of restraints – which brings us nicely back to leather.” He let his grin break free. “I fight my own battles in person, Mel. Later, we can celebrate with leather, if you like.”

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About Author Demelza Carlton

Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish. She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.

Sensationalist spin? No – Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.

Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.

The Ocean’s Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by her suspense thriller Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn’t leave her alone.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

M9B-Friday-Reveal

 

Hey all!
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Welcome to Tantrum Books and Month9Books Middle Grade Books You May Have Missed Blitz!
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Check out all of our 2014 titles below and enter for a chance to win 1 of 3 prize packs of eBooks! International.
Click on the covers for book information.
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 Tantrum Titles

 

 

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(3) winners will receive eBook prize packs of 5 Month9Books MG titles of your choice!
International
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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MiP-Banner

Just look at that cover art!

How could I resist Missing In Paradise.

I studied the cover, read the book, then studied it some more.

The cover tells the story.

Now, come on in and learn all about it.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Title: Missing in Paradise

Publication date: November 3, 2014

Publisher: Rebelight Publishing Inc.

Author: Larry Verstraete

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My Review

Before I start taling about the book, I want to talk a bit about the cover art.

I’m assuming you read the book description. Now look at the cover. It tells the story. You’ll see after you read it.

Bravo to the author for his fun, whimsical, telling cover!

Now to the story.

Nate thinks his Gramp’s death was mysterious. And that is confirmed when he’s drawn to a cardboard box. It contains clues and a map to a hidden treasure, the long missing “Shipment #35 – Gold.”

Nate quickly grabs the box, rescuing it from the garage sale and the creepy clutches of his neighbor, old man Fortier.

Sure that his Gramps was onto something, Nate enlists the help of his friend, Simon, to seek out the treasure.

They make their plans, jump on a bus, and set off on the adventure of all adventures.

But someone else knows about the treasure, and the race is on.

This book is like a blast to the past. I remember some wild adventures I went on when I was young. I never found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, never found cans of money buried in my back yard(got in trouble for those holes, LOL) and never found a treasure, but I had a grand time looking.

I felt that same excitement while reading this book. I was a part of the adventure. I also felt the fear, the doubt, and the hope.

While this is recommended for middle grade readers, some of the characters are kids and some are older adults, so I’d recommend this to anyone with a sense of adventure. It’s good, clean fun.

Here’s looking at you, kid.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Four months after Gramp’s mysterious death, Nate helps out at Gram’s garage sale. An eerie feeling, as if Gramps were reaching beyond the grave to send Nate a message, leads Nate to a box full of clues. A missing plane. A secret to keep. A map highlighting the route where Gramps died and the message, “Shipment #35-Gold.” Nate and his best friend, Simon, are convinced that Gramps was on a treasure hunt when he died. They’re just as convinced that Gram’s shifty next door neighbour, Fortier, is after the gold too. Nate and Simon sneak away on a Greyhound bus for the small town of Paradise where Nate is sure treasure awaits. Can they find the gold before Fortier gets his thieving hands on a treasure that rightfully belongs to Gramps?

Larry Verstraete is an award winning author of 13 non-fiction books for young people. This is his first work of fiction.

 

ABOUT LARRY VERSTRAETE:

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Larry Verstraete, a retired teacher, has authored thirteen non-fiction books for young people and won multiple awards including the 2012 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award and the 2010 Silver Birch Non-fiction Award. Missing in Paradise is his first work of fiction.

Connect with the Author:  Website | Facebook | Goodreads

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Today is the official release day for the paranormal/horror/suspense/thriller Growl!

Did you hear it? There! Now did you hear it?

I thought I heard a growl!

Come on in and celebrate the release of Growl.

Check out the creeptastic cover.

Read my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!


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My Review

Growl starts with a rumble, low and sinister. The rumble becomes a snarl, louder now and closer. The snarl becomes an ear splitting roar as the end rushes towards you.

At the tender age of 9, when her world should be one of innocence and wonder, Sheryl Ilene Newcomb (did you catch her initials- SIN) does something unspeakable. And she spends the second half of her life in fear. Fear of being found out. And fear of doing it again.

Any chance at a normal life, of happily ever after with the love of her life, is shattered by a voice. A voice in her head. When she finally meets the owner of that voice, she’s pulled, kicking and screaming, into her heritage. Her destiny.

But, someone else is out there. Someone like her, but not like her. And they won’t stop coming after her until she’s dead.

By the title, you are probably thinking werewolves, but you’d be wrong. This is something new in the paranormal genre, something steeped in Native American lore.

The author chose Mississippi as the setting for this story and it worked well. The southern dialect and culture were a perfect foil for this tale.

Part mysticism, part faith and family, and part horror, Growl kept me engrossed until the battery ran out on my Kindle. As soon as it was recharged, I jumped back into the story, not stopping until I finished.

You’re going to like the ending. And you’re going to want more.

5 Stars

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Synopsis:

My name is Sheryl Ilene Newcomb. And yes, my initials are
S.I.N. A funny little piece of whimsical humor my parents found amusing when I
arrived. Mom and Dad were two high school sweethearts who adored their guns,
their beer and their self-appointed titles of King and Queen of the Rebellious
Rednecks. The day I arrived, they didn’t think anyone in the town would have
the mental acuity to put two and two together to discover their little inside
joke. Shame on the pathetic excuses who called themselves teachers in this
dreary city, because Mom and Dad had been right: no one caught on to their
little attempt at humor.
Then, it turned out to be true. Looking back with wiser eyes
now, my family and I concluded that the events leading up to my transformation
started the summer I turned nine. But the day we realized there was a problem,
and no turning back, was a week before I started my senior year at Junction City
High. The day the fangs and claws appeared and the monster inside of me
emerged. When mutilated corpses appeared near a pile of brush down by Caney
Creek, everything changed.

 

That day, I changed, forever. Because evil woke up and
growled, its ominous rumblings heard by every living thing in Locasia County,
Mississippi.
 
Click the link above to get the book from Amazon.
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PLUS!
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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png
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The following prizes are available:
2 winners will receive a free code for the following audio
books:
Accountable to None; Zero Balance; Adjusting Journal
Entries; Number Seventy-Five; The Lie; Empty Shell
2 winners will receive signed paperbacks of the following
books:
Accountable to None; Zero Balance; Adjusting Journal
Entries; Number Seventy-Five; The Lie; Empty Shell
2 winners will receive ebooks of the following:
Accountable to None; Zero Balance; Adjusting Journal
Entries; Number Seventy-Five; The Lie; Empty Shell
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1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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I’ve read many of Bette Lee Crosby’s books and have fallen in love with the dashes of southern flavor she peppers throughout her stories.

The Wyattsville Series stole my heart with its captivating, larger than life, characters and I felt better for having read the books.

Now, she’s added a third book to the series and I’m lost in the pages, only coming up for a sip of hot tea and a cornbread muffin. And of course to work and sleep. LOL

I look forward to sharing my review later this month and for now you can catch a glimpse inside the book and briefly meet the characters.

There’s also a giveaway, so don’t forget to enter.

Passing through Perfect

by Bette Lee Crosby

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It’s 1946. The war is over. Millions of American soldiers are coming home and Benjamin Church is one of them. After four years of being away he thought things in Alabama would have changed, but they haven’t. Grinder’s Corner is as it’s always been—a hardscrabble burp in the road. It’s not much, but it’s home.

When Benjamin attends a harvest festival in Twin Pines, he catches sight of Delia. Before their first dance ends, he knows for certain she’s the one. They fall madly in love; happily, impatiently, imprudently, in love. It doesn’t matter that her daddy is staunchly opposed to the thought of his daughter marrying a cotton farmer, never mind a poor one.

It’s true Benjamin has little to offer; he’s a sharecropper who will spend his whole life sweating and slaving to do little more than put food on the table. But that’s how things are in Alabama. Benjamin is better off than most; he has a wife, a boy he adores, and a house that doesn’t leak rain. Yes, Benjamin considers himself a lucky man until the fateful night that changes everything.

Reviewer Praise

“Passing Through Perfect is not the kind of novel that excels in pat answers, simple characters, and calm progressive events – and this is evident from the first paragraph, which opens with a punch and keeps on emotionally slugging… Southern fiction writing at its best: spiritually infused, warm, and family-oriented…” Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan’s Shelf

“A heartwarming tale that shows both the good and bad found in mankind… Highly Recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction.” Inspired Kathy, I am a Reader

“Author Bette Lee Crosby’s characters take on heartbreak and oppression with dignity, courage, and a shaken but strong faith in a better tomorrow” Indie Reader

An uplifting story of family, love, kindness and hope, despite some people’s less than commendable behavior and attitudes.” Between the Lines

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * iTunes

Excerpt

“When the heart of a man gets pulled loose he starts dying. I started dying a year ago, and I’m still working on it. I ain’t going all at once; I’m going piece by piece.”

“The sheriff recognized Benjamin. He’d done work for Missus Haledon, and he’d done a good job. He painted their back fence and repaired a broken window in the storage shed. He was blacker than most but known for being polite, unlike the smart-mouthed coloreds who lived on the far side of Bakerstown.”

“As he sat at the kitchen table and drank a glass of sweet tea with his daddy, her ghost slid in alongside of them. It was a sadness neither of them wanted to speak of.”

add to goodreads

 

BetteAuthor Bette Lee Crosby

Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby shares the storytelling charm of her Southern Mama in tales that are both heartrending and heartwarming. She is best known for her creation of characters that readers find unforgettable.

Passing through Perfect is Crosby’s tenth novel and the third book in the Wyattsville Series that began with the USA Today Bestseller Spare Change. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since then, she has gone on to win another twenty literary awards, including the Royal Palm Literary Award, the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal and the 2014 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

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$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/6/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Aoleon The Martian Girl Part One

Book Details:Book Title: Aoléon The Martian Girl
A Science Fiction and Fantasy Saga
Part 1: First Contact
written and illustrated by Brent LeVasseur
Category:  Middle-Grade,

​94​  pages

Genre: Science-fiction and Fantasy
Publisher: Aoléon Press
Release date: January 31, 2015
Available for review in:  pdf
Will send books: Internationally
Tour dates: Dec and Jan
Content Rating: G

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I had to share this new cover art for Book One!

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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>My Review</strong></div>

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This story is so fast paced I was dragged along like the flying cows. When you read it you’ll get the thing about those cows.

Gilbert is woken up from another weird dream . This one about killer robots. In no hurry to return to that dream, he goes over to look at the night outside through his telescope.

Spotting strange lights in his neighbors farm, the one where the strange crop circles kept appearing, he slips out to investigate and literally bumps into adventure, in the form of Aoleon, a martian girl

The bright lights also catch the farmers eye and he discovers Gilbert and Aoleon, the martian girl, chasing them to her ship where they take off to the skies.

It’s a laugh riot as Aoleon pilots her baby blue space craft around the world, giving Gilbert the ride of his life while she dodges the USAF fighter jets that pursue them.

I received this book in my dropbox and chose to read it there. The illustrations are black and white on my kindle and don't do them justice.

Excellent descriptions compliment the exciting illustrations, so brilliant in colors they explode off the pages.

Young and older readers alike will be enchanted by Gilbert and Aoleon and this authors world.

I understand there are four more adventures in this saga and an iTunes album.

I plan to follow these adventures.  You’ll wish you had a friend like Aoleon, and envy Gilbert as he explores his dreams of space.

An out of this world delight.

<strong>5 Stars</strong>

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Book Description
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Crop circles magically appear in Farmer Johnson’s field. A mysterious light sweeps over the night sky and awakens Farmer Johnson and Gilbert, the boy next door.Curious, Gilbert ventures out to discover the source of the light and stumbles into a beautiful Martian girl sitting in a crop circle. Farmer Johnson also investigates the strange light, and thinking that Gilbert and Aoléon are vandals, he chases them. But they sprint to Aoléon’s saucer and escape only to be pursued by the U.S. Air Force.Gilbert has never been attacked by swarms of giant killer robots. Never met strange aliens from other worlds. Never skyboarded across a megalopolis hidden deep inside an extinct volcano. Never trekked across a vast Martian desert. And never been eaten alive by a gigantic slor (well, almost never, unless you count Billy the fat bully at school).And luckily, he has never ever confronted an evil ruler of Mars bent on conquering the Earth to steal its cows.Never…until now!This may be the adventure Gilbert always wished for.If only he can survive.
Buy The Book:
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But The martian Girl Song!

Another WorldSingle

Featuring Élan Noelle

Download on iTunes

​About​ the Author
Aoleon Brent LeVasseur

Mr. LeVasseur enjoys crafting good stories based on lovable characters designed to translate well to multiple media formats such as books, games, movies, and toys. He lives in New York when he is not commuting between Southern California and Olympus Mons, Mars. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition, and intergalactic space travel. He also enjoys various sports such as skiing, running, and exospheric skydiving.

Connect with Brent:   Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Aoléon: The Martian Girl 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

TeaserTuesdays2014e

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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My Tease for this week is from

Growl

by Ashley Fontaiine

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My Tease from 17% in the eBook.

Mom and Dad (and Meemaw, if around) would roll their eyes when Nana started the story, but I never did. I loved to listen to her sweet southern voice paint a vivid picture of her earlier life, even if it was a load of hog swallow like Daddy said.

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Synopsis

My name is Sheryl Ilene Newcomb. And yes, my initials are S.I.N. A funny little piece of whimsical humor my parents found amusing when I arrived.

Then, it turned out to be true. Looking back with wiser eyes now, my family and I concluded that the events leading up to my transformation started the summer I turned nine. But the day we realized there was a problem, and no turning back, was a week before I started my senior year at Junction City High. The day the fangs and claws appeared and the monster inside of me emerged.

When mutilated corpses appeared near a pile of brush down by Caney Creek, everything changed. Because evil woke up and growled, its ominous rumblings heard by every living thing in Locasia County, Mississippi.

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I’ll be reviewing this on January 15th. Can’t wait to share!

It’s filled with wonderful quotes like this and so much more than a horror story.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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